Airport-shuttle startup fills a niche for West Valley's travelers

A frequent traveler, Roxy Vendena knew he had choices for getting from his Sun City Grand house to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. None of them seemed good.

There were the private drivers who lack permits for hauling. There were expensive limousine and taxis. Then he tried taking a shuttle service and discovered real frustration.

Vendena arrived at the airport from a Colorado trip and got on a shuttle at 7 p.m. The driver circled the airport until it was full and took people to their houses, dropping Vendena in Sun City Grand at 11:45 p.m.

That's when the businessman, who owns two transportation-related companies in Colorado, decided to launch his own airport shuttle company.

Since August, Surprise residents have been able to call the To My Surprise Airport Shuttle Service and find transportation from Surprise to the airport and back, with no stops in between.

"I just thought we need something safe, legal, dependable and, most importantly, something affordable," Vendena said. "I've always been in transportation, but I've never moved people. I think I like this business."

To My Surprise is a little different from most airport shuttle services.

For one thing, customers are not picked up or dropped off at home. Vans leave from the To My Surprise office at the AZ TechCelerator, Surprise's business incubator at 12425 W. Bell Road. Cars may be left there in a secured lot for $2 a day.

It is the only way to ensure that the vans leave "every hour on the hour" for 15 hours a day, seven days a week, Vendena said.

Round trip, the airport ride costs $49.95, with the second ticket for a couple coming in at $39.95.

Sun City West resident Dorrit Briere thought that price was steep until she called other airport transportation services. Now she is impressed with the efficiency and affordability of the concept.

The business has also branched out to hotels in Surprise. For an additional charge, a van will pick up and drop off customers at the hotels after dropping people at the TechCelerator site. And rental-car companies are willing to meet their customers at the TechCelerator with cars for their Arizona visit.

Vendena was able to win a spot at the TechCelerator, where rents are minimal, because he is hiring locally. He still has open positions for drivers and office workers, and his brightly decorated vans feature promotions for the city.

Vendena said he was concerned about opening a small business in a bad economy, but then he realized that this business was suited to the times.

"Maybe that's the best bet - to open in a bad economy when people are watching their dollars," he said.